Ethics in Psychology Laboratory

These pages are demonstration pages of mixed mode deli very for an on-campus course. The curriculum and course structure has changed substantially for 1998, but these pages have been retained here as an example of a particular use of the Web in teaching.

In preparation for this lab please read the APS Code of Professional Conduct.

APS Code of Professional Conduct

The aim of this lab class is to consider ethical issues in psychology in the light of the APS Code of Professional Conduct. The intent of this code is clear, as are the range of potential ethical dilemmas faced by psychologists. The difficulty is in finding a practical and appropriate path to follow through ethically-challenging situations.

Case study Ethical Dilemmas and the APS Code

In groups of 4-5 discuss what sections of the APS Code of Conduct are relevant to these scenarios and what are the ethical issues that arise ?

It was alleged that Ms J, a psychologist, in applying for appointment to an educational institution, laid claim to an academic qualification that she did not actually hold.
Mr X has been seeing Mr. K, a clinical psychologist, on a fortnightly basis for 12 months and has repeatedly intimated threats to the welfare of Ms I, an ex-girlfriend. Mr. K is going away for an extended period of time and will not have contact with Mr X for 4 months.
Mr O a sport psychologist has worked with a team for 3 weeks and suspects that Mr L is suffering from a serious form of depression. The team's coach and club president are concerned over Mr L’s recent performances and have set up a meeting with Mr O to discuss the issue.
At the conclusion of a professional relationship Mr F has continually sent Miss B, a counselling psychologist, flowers and chocolates, and has "popped in" for a "chat" on numerous occasions.
Mrs H is aware that psychological tests are being administered, scored and interpreted by non-psychologists to an outside organisation by another division of her consultancy firm. The contract with the outside company is lucrative and the time schedule tight for the consultancy work.

Homework - APS position paper on Euthanasia

Read the APS position paper Psychological perspective’s on euthanasia and the terminally ill.

Write a 2 page essay in your lab diary on the following: Summarise the arguments in favour of / and against euthanasia put forward in the APS Paper and consider the role of psychologists in approaching this issue.

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